My Abandoned Garden...

My poor neglected yard. With everything going on inside the house and the workers stomping through my borders, I have basically given up on my flowers this year. But, this little beauty popped up in one of my front yard borders and I have enjoyed it thoroughly. I don't think I planted it, I am not sure how it got there, but it sure has been pretty to look at. It closes each evening and opens with more flowers each day. I especially love that a random one or two white blooms will pop out just to change things up. I think God sent this little plant to help me feel better about not having time for my flowers.

Good Lord, Somethin's got a hold on me!!!

That is what I think was the thought running through kitty Jack's mind this morning. Let's start at the very beginning... and that is when my daughter woke me this morning, holding the clock beside her bed, which is now my bed, because my "real"bed is currently covered with parts of ceiling and wall due to the downstairs renovation. So... anyway, she is atnding there pointing out what time it is, and I am like, "that's great, 10 more minutes" until I realize that would only be true if the hour said 6 instead of 7... WE OVERSLEPT!!! Well, by this time the bus has gone and I have to take the kids to school anyway, so no need to kill ourselves rushing. So we all make our way downstairs. I am in the kitchen making breakfast and I can see to the back of the house from where I am. All of a sudden there is this amazing loud, and chaotic commotion from the back of the house. I am like "WTH!" thinking th plumbers have come in and started hurling stuff into the back room. Something is flying through that room with great speed and noise. It hurls by again and it is large and cream colored. It almost looks like something has come alive. Then it flies by again and I realize it is a Pottery Barn Bag, one of the large paper ones with handles, and my brain is unable to compute this.... why and how is a bag flying around the room? Then I realize the bag is attached to our black cat, Jack... mind you, all this is happening in seconds and the confusion and dismay is spreading like wildfire. Greta, has shot through the house like she is sure the devil has entered our house, Megan is screaming, Kaileigh is crying and the bag is still flying around the house with me in hot pursuit and of course Jack still attached and thinking his life is going to end any second. So, finally, through some merciful miracle, the bag releases Jack and he is free.

It took a good thirty minutes to calm the cats, console Kaileigh and return the house back to order... well, what little order can be found in a house under renovation. Ahhh, yes, life at my house.

Charlie

Charlie
Originally uploaded by BackwoodSophisticate

Our Charlie Dog passed away last night. He was only 7 years old. He was diagnosed with lymphocarcinoma just a couple months ago. His only symptom at that time was enlarged lymph nodes. He stayed strong and healthy unil the last few weeks when he began losing weight. He was wagging his tail and enjoying watching us play ball yesterday afternoon. He definitely was quiet and taking it easy but his passing last night was unexpected, even though possibly a blessing in that he died on his own terms and still able to get around and enjoy his family. He will be missed. Rest in peace Charlie-Dog.

Help! I am addicted to facebook!

Yep, i have become a hostage of facebook. So, if you were wondering, that is where I am, catching up with old classmates and long lost friends. It is a fun site! Also, the home renovation is in full swing. We are living in a completely altered state of existence which involves constant moving of our belongings. I have found it is a lot easier to just send stuff to Goodwill than find a place to stash it. I am wondering what I will be missing when it is time to resume our normally scheduled life ;) And don't even get me started on the absurdities of home loans/refinancing/equity... blah!!!

More bathroom absurdity

So, this find makes me giggle. And also makes me ask, "Really?". I am thinking it is probably not nice to pick on these designs, because obviously, some find them to be fabulous... but sometimes a little laughter at the expense of high-design is just what you need to get through something as trying as a renovation. See the whole story here.

While researching for the bathroom addition...

I come across some very interesting ideas for the bathroom. I try to be open-minded, seeing as everybody's perspective is different, but I have to say I think I found the UGLIEST bathroom ever! I think one of the things that makes it so ridiculous is the lack of practicality. Really, people? Really?





Obviously, this bathroom is not meant for somebody who will ever allow a child to use it, but from my mom perspective, what a nightmare!! Here is the link for the article, http://www.bhg.com/decorating/room/bathroom/bathroom-project-ideas/?page=4.

Such a sweet shop

Have you seen this shop on etsy? It is called Tangerine Studio and I am so taken with her artwork. Her paintings do a phenomenal job of capturing the spirit of animals. She does commissioned pieces, you can find the pricing info on her blog The Bee Charmer. Here is one of her paintings.

Bernese mountain dog art by Maggie Crawford

Some Woodsy Picks

I have been shopping on etsy for quite some time now. I actually started under the user name boogiesgalore... and, holy cow, I just looked it up and I joined in November of 2006. I had no idea it had been over two years. But my 85 pages of favorites makes more sense. I have no idea how I managed to accumalate over 800 favorite shops, but they all are important to me. I go through them and I honestly "know" each of them. I sometimes am a tad frightened at how many etsy shops I "know".
So, I picked these gorgeous woodsy finds from page 84 of my 85 pages of sellers. I have bought from two of these sellers and just haven't been able to make up my mind on a favorite to purchase from the other two shops, they have so many wonderful things.


Grassy Hill - Original Fabric on Wood Art by shellieartist



The Artful Raccoon Print 8.5 in x 11 in by johnwgolden



Squat orb ground sphere - an ikebana style vase by Earth N Elements Pottery

Earthy Pine Cone wrap scarf by circularaccessories

Enjoy!

Enamel Me Please

I am loving the look of enamel on metal. And it does not take long to find some gorgeous enamel pieces on Etsy. Check these out:


Red-Hot-Enamel-Poppies-Hook-Earrings by jewelrybynatsuko


teeming (necklace) new by smashing

Double Copper Enamel Rubber necklace Prairie Collection by Steinvika

Aqua Enamel,Red Glass Flower and Sterling Silver Earrings by sweetVintage

Jack & New Camera

Jack
Originally uploaded by BackwoodSophisticate

Our little kitty is growing like a weed. When we first got him, he immediately came down with a bug that sent us back to the vets for an antibiotic, but looking at him now, you could never guess he was the lethargic, bony, homely creature he was 4 weeks ago. All of his energy is back, he runs around here like his tail is on fire. He can run up the steps like speed racer. I adore him!!
My new camera is going to be so much fun. Ii can not believe how wonderful it is to finally take a picutre without a delay. I always missed the good shots with my Kodak, every time I take a picture with my new Canon and it happens when I touch the button, it makes me want to do a happy dance. Woo Hoo!